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This marks my 6th annual End of the Year listing. As usual, there’s plenty of great music I either missed out on this year, didn’t give enough listens in order to justifiably put it on my list, or stuff that just really didn’t catch my ear. I hope if nothing else, this gives you a few new artists to enjoy. Thanks for reading through my list, and please be sure to share your favorite albums of the year in the comments.

Mike CaroleoThese are in no particular order, with the exception of #1, which is listed last.

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the CityBuy itStream It
I didnʼt catch on to this release until later in the year, but wow, it is solid. Ezra Koenig has many interesting things to say about God and religion here, and the music does a notably fantastic job of enhancing his lyrics. Excellent release that should not be looked over.

Haim – Days Are GoneBuy ItStream It
These three sisters from California have written an album that wouldʼve made Fleetwood Mac proud. Itʼs fun, infectious, refreshing indie pop. Iʼve tried turning this album off before, but it never really works because it never stops playing in my head. Haim will deﬁnitely be one to watch develop over the next few years.

Twenty One Pilots – VesselBuy ItStream it
As someone that was so utterly blown away by the single, “Holding On To You,” I was at first extremely disappointed by the full LP. After later seeing Tyler Joseph & Josh Dun perform these songs live however, my disappointment turned to toleration, and eventually, enthusiasm. With time, Iʼve come to really, really like this album, even if that single still overshadows it.

The Lone Bellow – The Lone BellowBuy ItStream it
This Brooklyn-based three-pieceʼs debut is overﬂowing and exploding with raw talent. Iʼm going to carry a copy with me everywhere I go in 2014, just in case someone asks me to deﬁne the term “good music.” Seriously, if you donʼt know what Iʼm talking about, you need to stop what youʼre doing and listen.

Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian VerseBuy ItStream it
Iʼve been a big fan of these Scotts since The Midnight Organ Fight, and theyʼve outdone themselves with this one. Being a Christian, it hurts to listen to the strong current of anti-Christianity that runs through this album, but Scott Hutchisonʼs genuine honesty and the bandʼs musical prowess remind me I donʼt need to agree with the subject to appreciate the art.

The Wonder Years – The Greatest GenerationBuy ItStream it
Listen, ever since I “grew up” and got married, I havenʼt paid much attention to “the scene” that The Wonder Years represent. That said, I couldnʼt ignore this album. Itʼs an emotional monster, from the ﬁrst song to the ﬁnale. The ﬁnale, by the way, is one of my favorite songs of the year because….well youʼll just have to listen for yourself. (Tip: Listen to album straight through for full effect)

The Front Bottoms – Talon of the HawkBuy ItStream it
Started listening to these guys when I saw they were opening for Manchester Orchestra. You wonʼt ﬁnd any grand production or fancy marketing surrounding the bandʼs two members, but you will ﬁnd some unique, raw songwriting on an album that pleasantly surprised me from ﬁrst listen.

Lorde – Pure HeroineBuy ItStream it
Everyoneʼs heard her smash-hit single, “Royals.” Not as many have taken the time to listen to what is one of my favorite mainstream pop albums of the last 5 years. An album of this quality should never be written by someone so young. Itʼs not fair to everyone else.

The Get Togethers – Home As In HoustonBuy ItStream it
Though theyʼve ﬂown under the radar, The Get Togethers have gotten together 12 songs (one for each month) that really stand strong. And letʼs face it, not many girls that are in bands with their husband can come away with comparisons to Death Cab For Cutie after writing an album about the lesbian teacher-student affair they had in high school, am I right?

The 1975 – The 1975Buy ItStream it
Iʼll say it: If I had to pick an album of the year, this is it. Iʼm not gonna lie to you and tell you I know what each songʼs about, or that I can even understand every word Matthew Healy sings, but wow. Every song is different from the next, while all still managing to entertain and provide a fresh combination of pop, R&B, 80ʼs rock, and nu gaze. Iʼve literally had to take this album out of my car so that I can listen to something else, but somehow it always ﬁnds its way back to my ears. Top to bottom, I absolutely love it.

9.The Bling Ring
Because it’s beautifully shot (not to mention Emma Watson) and nails the moral and social depravity of this generation.

8.The Place Beyond The Pines
Because for the first 2/3 it was what the perfect movie would look like.

7.Frances Ha
Because it’s a great look at the anxiety of millenials and it’s very enjoyable to boot.

6.Much Ado About Nothing
Because it’s Joss Whedon and Co. doing Shakespeare. What else do you need?

5.The Counselor
Because it’s absurd and transcendent at once. And has the most unforgettable scene I’ve ever seen. (it’s not this one)

4.All Is Lost
Because it’s Gravity, but on the ocean and it’s better.

3.Gravity
Because I’m still in awe. It’s beyond comprehension. And also, Clooney’s voice.

2.Inside Llewyn Davis
Because there is no one who is better at their craft than the Coen Brothers. And this might have been them at their best.

1.Fast & Furious 6
Because how can it not be? But seriously, all the talk about movie in the films actually made you feel like you were a part of the family. Which makes the loss of Paul Walker feel like the loss of a real brother.

Low Weather is the personification of Michael Trieb’s newest music endeavor, in which he takes a huge leap forward in evolving his musical sound. “I guess somewhere along the way, the whole ‘singer-songwriter’ aesthetic just didn’t work for my music anymore,” Trieb says. “It wasn’t an accurate identifier. My songs began to get weirder and I started to have less and less songs I was able to pull off by myself on stage.”

Now with the new project in full swing, Low Weather is planning to release a full length album in March, with half of the record already recorded and ready to be heard. The lead single, Underneath, certainly tips its hat to the musical influences of Death Cab for Cutie and Pedro the Lion. Trieb and his comrades lay down an eerily catchy bass line with a plinking guitar that seep into your subconscious and leave you wanting to hit play after the song ends. Some of his other songs draw from his love of classics like John Lennon and Paul McCartney as well as cult favorites Pavement and American Football.

From a lyrical standpoint, Trieb says these songs come from a very personal place for him. “When writing, I think I’ve been learning that any situation you might find yourself in is not always unique to just you. Everybody deals with similar stuff, we just kind of view it through different lenses. So this album is simply my own perspective on things.”

With half of the album recorded, Low Weather is anxious to begin recording the remainder of the album. They are currently running a Kickstarter project to raise $2,000 to record and complete the remainder of their full length album. Be sure to check out the links below on how to stay up to date with Low Weather.

Formed in 2000, brothers Seth and Scott Avett formed their alt-country/bluegrass band and have wasted no time releasing 12 full length records and EPs over the last 13 years. In fact, the release between 2012’s Carpenter is separated by a mere 13 months from their newest album Magpie and the Dandelion. The quick turnaround does not lose any quality, with the brothers putting out quite possibly their best record to date. Magpie and the Dandelion does a great job of showcasing the Avett Brothers’ ability to go from upbeat banjo-filled songs like “Another is Waiting” to piano ballads like “Good To You” and everything in between. If you were a fan of banjos before it was cool, you’ll love this record. If you just recently discovered how awesome bluegrass music can be, this highly accessible record can certainly provide a foothold into a magical genre of music.

The acoustic guitar/piano/three part harmonies sound is one the staple of today’s indie folk scene, and The Head and the Heart did it with great success in their eponymous debut released in 2011. However, the band felt that the new release required some growth sonically. With Let’s Be Still, it seems they tried a little too much on some of the songs, especially songs like “Summertime” and “Fire/Fear.” These two attempt to really change your perspective on their sound, but leave you scratching your head wondering what went wrong. Overall, the record is worth a listen, but it gets a little stale after the lead single “Shake.” As terrific as the debut record was, it looks like they built up the anticipation a bit too much for another stellar release.

It’s hard to deny how catchy Vampire Weekend’s hits were from previous records. Songs like A-Punk, M79, and Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa are beyond catchy, but it’s understandable that you want a record full of songs this catchy. Luckily, their latest release provides you with that wish. Song after song is better than the next, truly elevating their sound to become more than just the darlings of indie music. With the release of this record, Vampire Weekend has solidified their place in the top ranks of the best indie rock bands of this decade. Ranging from dance songs like Diane Young to somber introspective songs like Hannah Hunt and everything in between, this album is chocked full of fantastic songs that show off their remarkable growth in songwriting. This one is sure to make a lot of end of year lists.

Some songs have a way of sticking with you in an indescribable way. The first time you listen to the opening of St. Lucia’s single “Elevate,” odds are you had that feeling, too. Was it the opening synth riff? Was it the incredible bass line peaking its head out during the verses? Was it the huge gang vocals singing the chorus at the end of the song? Whatever it was for you, the catchiness of this lead single was unbelievable. After hearing this song and a handful of others on previous EPs, excitement exuded about the full release coming out.

What tends to happen when an EP precedes a full release is that the previously released tracks are the best ones on the album. While this is certainly not a new thing to do to artists releasing their major label debut, it’s an unfortunate one for previous fans.

This review should not be read as a disappointment towards St. Lucia, but comes as somewhat of a warning to returning fans expecting an album full of brand new songs. While the old songs like “Closer Than This” and “We Got It Wrong” continue to sound terrific, unfortunately the new songs have a harder time sticking their landing.

It would not be surprising to hear some of these songs take off on Top 40 radio, especially with the backing of a major label as strong as Columbia. With someone as talented as Jean-Philip Grobler, he certainly deserves all the attention he can garner. While this debut release has its hits and misses, the hits are most certainly grand slams.